Bundle: Microeconomics, Loose-leaf Version, 10th + Mindtap Economics, 1 Term (6 Months) Printed Access Card
Bundle: Microeconomics, Loose-leaf Version, 10th + Mindtap Economics, 1 Term (6 Months) Printed Access Card
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781305782570
Author: William Boyes; Michael Melvin
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Question
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Chapter 13, Problem 3E
To determine

(a)

Calculation of external cost per unit.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 3E

The external cost per unit of output is $2.

Explanation of Solution

    QuantityPrivate CostPrivate Marginal Cost (PMC)Social CostSocial Marginal cost (SMC)BenefitMarginal Benefits (MB)External Cost
    1204012122
    26410622104
    31261883086
    420828103668
    53010401240410

Note- External cost = Social Cost − private cost.

Economics Concept Introduction

Externalities: The externalities arise when the consumption of goods and services impact other people directly or indirectly. However, the nature of impact determines the type of externalities (positive externality or negative externality).

To determine

(b)

The level of output to produce.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

    QuantityPrivate CostPrivate Marginal Cost (PMC)Social CostSocial Marginal cost (SMC)BenefitMarginal Benefits (MB)External Cost
    1204012122
    26410622104
    31261883086
    420828103668
    53010401240410

The level of output to produce is determined where its PMC = MB. So, at 3.5 unit the PMC is 7 (producing of extra unit the PMC is $2. So, PMC for producing 0.5 unit is $1.)which equal to the marginal benefit of $7 (the value between 8 and 6 in MB column).

Economics Concept Introduction

Externalities: The externalities arise when the consumption of goods and services impacts other people directly or indirectly. However, the nature of impact determines the type of externalities (positive externality or negative externality).

To determine

(c)

The level of output at which economic efficiency is to achieved.

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

    QuantityPrivate CostPrivate Marginal Cost (PMC)Social CostSocial Marginal cost (SMC)BenefitMarginal Benefits (MB)External Cost
    1204012122
    26410622104
    31261883086
    420828103668
    53010401240410

The level of output to achieve economic efficiency exists at a point where its social marginal cost is equal to its marginal benefits (SMC = MB). So, the output level for economic efficiency is 3.

Economics Concept Introduction

Externalities: The externalities arise when the consumption of goods and services impact other people directly or indirectly. However, the nature of impact determines the type of externalities (positive externality or negative externality).

To determine

(d)

Expert Solution
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

    QuantityPrivate CostPrivate Marginal Cost (PMC)Social CostSocial Marginal cost (SMC)BenefitMarginal Benefits (MB)External Cost
    1204012122
    26410622104
    31261883086
    420828103668
    53010401240410

At point 3.5; the difference between successive external cost is $1 (by interpolating $7-$6) per 0.5 unit or the value they are willing to give up is $6 for manufacturing only 3 units instead of 3.5 units.

Economics Concept Introduction

Externalities: The externalities arise when the consumption of goods and services impacts other people directly or indirectly. However, the nature of impact determines the type of externalities (positive externality or negative externality).

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Students have asked these similar questions
Problem 1: Externality The weekly supply and demand for packs of cigarettes in the United States is given in the figure below. Suppose cigarette smoking causes an external cost on nonsmokers, as shown by the social benefit curve on the graph. Price ($) 36 34 32 30 - 28 26 - 24 22 - EMC S SEMC pvt 20 - 18- 16 - 14 - 12 - 10- 8 MB pvt social 2 MB 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 Pack of cigarettes (millions) a. This is a [ Select ] [ Select ] externality.
Explain the two main causes of market failure (externality and market power) and give an example of each.
Explain in detail. How externality can lead to a market failure?
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